travel blog

I travelled over 14,000km’s to see flowers. Not any flowers. New Zealand lupin flowers. In all of their glory and my, oh my, are they magnificent. Flourishing between November – February in the southern island of New Zealand, these blooms cover every last square inch of the Lake Tekapo region bathing it in the most brilliant shades of purple, pink, rapberry and even coral. They are jawdroppingly beautiful and intoxicatingly scented.

On a daytrip from Christchurch, I was able to see the blooms in just under 3 hours. No massive lineups, no person charging for the privilege. This is Mother Nature in all of her glory. I was in pure awe.

Seeing these blooms has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember and after doing it, I just knew I had to commemorate the experience… with art. Yes, that brilliant piece of body art is my latest homage to my travels – lupins, New Zealand fern and greens and wild orange poppies. Wildflowers of my time in a country that changed my life.

Have you (or would you) ever get a tattoo to commemorate a bucket list travel adventure? Share your comments below!

When I was a kid dreaming of airplanes and far off places, the place I most wanted to travel to was New Zealand. There was something dreamy about going to the literal other side of the world. The accents were foreign and charming. The people seemed laid back and fun. I just KNEW I had to go there. It was the first place I put on my bucket list and until 2011, 3 days after the Christchurch earthquakes, when I made my first trip to this ruggedly laidback beautiful island.

It’s been 7 years and what feels like a lifetime ago but this trip I knew I wanted to make it to Auckland. I had previously spent one night in the northern capital and had no idea what to expect. In truth, I barely remembered.

What I found was a bustling, thriving city filled with a mixture of maori, kiwi and asians. Laidback (as promised) and metropolitan. Being Christmas, oversize Santa’s, twinkling lights, popup markets and crowds greeted me wherever I went.

What surprised me most? The sun. As a former skin cancer survivor, I wear sunscreen daily but the intensity of the sun caught me off guard. Even fully sunscreened up, I found myself burning under it’s rays.

Auckland favourites, the Viaduct harbour area and Piha beach, were prime spots for enjoying the days but getting caught with bouncing rays on the turquoise beaches and pristine water.

Lesson learned, my dear ones. Suncreen, hat and shoulder coverage are no longer optional but essential for this pale-skinned Canadian in the kiwi sunshine.

My name is Crystal Adair-Benning and I am the Love Nomad. I’ve spent my entire life travelling the globe, exploring different people, places and having experiences I will always cherish.

Love Nomad isn’t just a nickname – it’s a way of being in the world. It’s all about letting your heart guide you. Not being tied to any one place but being able to go wherever the wind calls you. All of my possessions fit in a suitcase. I pack light. I don’t purchase stuff. I cherish experiences over things. Stuff has no space in my life.

This blog is my personal space to share my world. To write my heart out and share my adventures. Whether you’re simply dreaming of a minimalist travel life or if you’re already living the dream; let’s connect.